Window opening and closing mechanism



Julie 7, 1927.

. 1,631,892 J. SAOUTCHIK WINDOW OPENING AND CLOSING MECHANISM Filed May 1l, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l June J. SAOUTCHIK WINDOW OPENING AND CLOSING MECHANISM Filed m 11, 1926 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented June 7, 1927.

UNITED STATES JACQUES SAOUICHIK, OI KEUILLY-SUESEINE, FRANCE.

WINDOW OPENING AND CLOSING -KEGEANIBM.

Application filed Kay 11, 1928, Serial No. 106,418, and in France Kay 18, 1925.

This invention has for its object a new or improved mechanism for raising or lowering the panes of windows or doors in general' and more particularly of certain win- 5 dows of motor cars or other'vehicles the mere rotation of a handle arranged inside the vehicle and for locking these panes at anvdesired height.

Several mechanisms of this type have al 1 ready been proposed. Among such mechanisms the' most satisfactory ones are those comprising racks arranged lat erally of the pane frame and tOOthQd-PIHXOHS meshing with said racks and actuated by a handle positioned substantially midway of the width of the said frame, independent latches being provided for securely locking at any desired height the pane and to avoid any creeping thereof. Although they work satisfactorily such mechanisms have the disadvantage of being usable-exclusively in connection with windows surmountin a wall having a sufficient height to permit being provided with an 1nthe body for accommodating the rear wheels and mud-guards. Such distance is so re duced that it totally precludes the use upon such windows of the devices above referred to, due to their excessive height.

The present invention provides an improved mechanism of the type set forth adapted to be applied upon any window surmountin a wall the height of which is smaller than the window height, i. e. the height of the pane to be raised or lowered by said mechanism. This improved device is essentially characterized in that-it comprises two pane frames instead of one, which frames are arranged in superimposed or adjacent overlapping relation and synchro- .nously actuated by means of a handle arranged inside the car and adapted either to completely collapse into the corres onding well formed in the wall of the b0 y or to ternal well to receive the whole of the pane I be lifted progressively at different speeds so that the two panes respectively carried by such frames should be overlapped midway of the window height when they have both reached the top of their upward strokes (the upper pane being disposed externally so as to ensure an efiicient protection against the inclemencies of the weather), provision being made for locking said two panes thus overlapped at any desired height by means of suitable latches operatable from within the car. This improved device is further characterized by a pivoting pane well lid contrivance the purpose of which is to mask the entrance of the well formed in the wall of the car body for receiving the two superimposed pane frames and thus to prevent rain, dirt or the like to penetrate thereinto when the outer pane frame has a completely emerged out of the said well.

In order that the invention may be more clearly, and readily understood and carried into practice, it will be now more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Fi ure 1 is a front elevational view showing t e two pane frames in raised positions, said view being taken from the inside of the car.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view showing the two pane frames in lowered positions, said View being taken from the outside of the car.

Figures 3 and 3 are two edge views taken at right angles to each other showing one of the two grooved. chambranles within which are guided the two pane frames, also the actuating racks and pinions and one of the latches.

Figure 4 isan edge view showing the lower portion of one of the grooved chambranles out of which emerge at different heights the two sliding pane frames.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing the two sliding pane frames as well as their actuating pinions and racks.

Figure 6 is an elevational view on a reduced scale showing the two superimposed pane frames, assuming the latter to be entirely withdrawn from their guiding chambranles andoccupying their full eirtended ositions corresponding to the slight overapping of their panes substantially midway of the height of the window.

Figures 7 and 7 are two edge views taken at right angles to each other showing in detail the racks and a counter-pinion.

Figure 8 is an edge view representing the pane well lid contrivanee mounted upon the part of the car body underlying the window, the full lines showing same when in raised or operative position corresponding to the raised position of the outer pane frame whereas the broken lines show same when in lowered or inoperative position corresponding to the collapsed position of the pane frame.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic fragmentary plan view thereof.

Reference being had to these several figures wherein like references designate like parts, it must first be understood that the expressions outer and inner which will be found in the following description par-- ticularly for designating the pane frames must be construed as applying to an observer who would view. the device respectively from without and from within the car.

According to the inventiom'the device comprises a metal framework (made of cast aluminium alloy for instance) essentially made up of two parts: a transverse hollow base 1 and two grooved chambranles or leg members 2, 2. The base 1 is formed in its middle portion with a hollow protuberance 3 constituting a kind of easing which may be closed externally by a separate cover; it is adapted to be fixed within the wall of the car body immediately underneath the lower edge of the window which is to be furnished with a regulatable pane. The two chambranles or leg members 2, 2 which may be cast integral with the base 1 or made distinct and which, for easier manufacturing, are constituted by separate upper and lower portions are each formed with two longitudinally extending parallel grooves; the outer groove 2 must be at least equal to the full height of the window whereas the inner groove 2 may be interrupted a small distance above the middle of its height, as illustrated in Fig. 3, if for no other purpose than that of lessening the cost of manufacture. lVithin these grooves, preferably square-sectioned, are slidingly mounted the two superimposed or adjacent pane frames adapted to closethe window. The inner -fra1ne i adapted to occupy the lower part of the window when raised to its full extent provides roughly the shape of a T having unequal wing portions 4 and 4 and a web portion 4 (Fig. 6) whereas the outer frame 5 adapted to occupy the upper part of the window when raised to its full extent provides roughly a U shape the base portion 5 of which carries the top of the pane whilst its leg portions 5*, 5 have a sliding fit in the outer grooves 2 of the chambranles 2, 2. Each of these frames is internally grooved as usual for allowing of nished with awatertight bead (made of soft rubber for example). However such bead may be objectionable from the esthetic standpoint and should therefore be ably omitted; I .1

The actuationsof the. two superimposed adjacent pane frames 4 and 5 is effected by means of a number of transmission members which will now be described. The casing 3 of the supporting base 1 is traversed by a pin 6 around which is coiled a spiral spring (not shown) the purpose of which is to assist the upward motion of the frames said pin 6 is screw-threaded at its free end to re-,

ceive a handle (not shown) which actuates through the medium of bevel-gears 7--7' and of a transverselyextendin shaft 8 pass.-

prefering through, bearingsS, the side pinions 9. a The latter actuate the .two pane frames. To

that effect, a stationary rack-10; and: a stationary stub-rack 10. are formed or provided 1 lengthwise of the rib that limitsinwardly the inner groove 2 of each chambranle 2,2.

Further, the inner pane frame 4 is novided upon the whole of the internal, ace;

of its rectilinear wing portions 4, 4 with a rack 11 and furnishedat its upper end with an idle toothed pinion -12 rot-atably mounted upon a pin 13 and having its teeth slightly protruding-on both sides ,of the frame 4 so as to mesh with a movable rack 14 fixed to and extending over'the. full.

length of the inner face of the leg portion 5 'of the outer frame 5. These racks and pinions are, of course, duplicated on either sides of the device and have suitable pitches for intermeshing. a a

The operation of the means for actuating the pane frames 4 and 5 will bereadily understood :-Assuming for .the sake of clearness that said frames are entirely lowered, as shown in Fig.- 2, that is to-say concealed in the corresponding well formed in the body of the car (this: position corresponding to the complete 0 ening of the 'window) it will be understoo that,'by turning the handle screwed upon the pin 6, the two pinions 9 are rotated. As these mesh with the rack 11, they lift the inner framea along the inner groove 2" of the chambranle 2. As it thus moves upward the rack 11 faces the stationary racks 10, 10" but without contacting with them, thanks to their being spaced apart, whilst simultaneously the idle counter-pinion 12 rotatably mounted upon the top of the leg portion 4 of said frame 4 successively meshes with the said racks 10 and 10. Upon this counter-pinion 12 is thus simultaneously imparted an upwardly directed translational motion and a rotational motion about its pin 13 whereby, due to its engagement with the rack 14 formed or provided on the outer pane frame 5, the latter is raised. By this arrangement, said outer frame 5 goes up twice as fast as the inner pane frame 4 as a result of which, when the top edge of the latter has arrived substantially midway of the height of the window, the top edge 5" of the outer frame 5 has reached the top of said window; the two panes A and B respectively set in such frames 4 and 5 are then in slight overlapping relation as shown at C in dotted lilies in Fig. 1. Of course, the person who is in the car is at liberty to raise the two pane frames 4. and 5 to any desired height. Oneof such intermediate relative positions is illustrated in Fig. 4. i

In order to lock the pane frames 4 and 5 at the required height despite the antagonistic action due to gravity and to the vibrations of the car and therefore to prevent any creeping of such frames, a latch is advantageously provided on each side of the win-- dow. This latch is constituted by a rotary bolt 15 protruding in a notch (see Fig. 3) cut in the rib separating the grooves 2 and 2 of the chambranle 2 in a position situated in the lower half of the window. This bolt 15 is preferably elliptically shaped in order that, according to the position it occupies, its longer sides come flush with the adjacent walls of said grooves 2 and 2* or alternately project within the same. It will thus be easily understood that, when in the former position, the bolt permits the frames f and 5 to freely slide in their respective grooves whereas, when in the latter position, it engages their margin portions and thus locks them securely at any desired height. The bolt 15 has an enlargement provided with a small lever 16 and rotatably mounted in a fitting 17 fixedly secured in any approved wa to the external wall of the chambranle 2.

s above stated, the improved device for raising or lowering window panes further comprises an improved pane well lid contrivance of small volume the purpose of which is to prevent rain, dust, mud or the like from penetrating into the vertically extending well within which the two pane frames collapse and, by choking the same, to

interfere with their proper operation, said contrivance being also adapted to increase the esthetic efi'ect of'the whole device according to the invention. This pane well lid contrivance is constituted (Figs. 5, 8, and

9) by a narrow board or lid 17 preferably of metal pivotally secured by means of hinges 18+-18" upon a channel member 19 fixed by screws 20 against the outer wall of lid 17 and cause them to pivot to the extent of 90 about its hinges 18-18 whereby said board or lid passes from the position represented ill full lines to the one represented in broken lines in Fig. 8. This pivotal motion occurs in spite of the resistance exercised by a spring 24 colled around a shank 25 jointedly secured at its top and to a shackle 26 fixed on the lower face of the board 17 and freely engaging at its bottom end a guiding plate 27 against which rests the said coil spring 24. As long as the outer pane frame 5 remains engaged over any portion of its height in the pane recess, the board' or lid 17 is constrained to remain in its folded down position, the watertightness being eusured by the contact existing between said board and said frame. As soon as, on the contrary, the lower end 5 of the upwardly moving outer frame 5 has passed up the lower edge of the window, the board forced upwards by its spring 24 resumes its normal horizontal position whereby its rubber bead 23 bears against the pane set in the inner frame 4 thus ensuring the watertight closin; of the pane well.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the operation of the pane well lid contrivance is entirely self acting and that the person in the car who wishes to raise or lower the window panes has only to turn in the right direction the operating handle fixed upon the pin 6 and to actuate the levers 16 of the latches when the panes have reached the desired height.

It will also be readily understood that this device for raising or lowering window panes being made up of a small number of strong and easily mountable members 'of small volume and not liable to get out of order will operate very satisfactorily in all circumstances. Although the construction ,thereof as has been described is deemed to be the simplest and most eflicient one in practice, yet it must be understood that several constructional modifications might be introduced therein particularly for appropriating same to the several types of motor cars or even for architectural purposes without departing from the spirit and scope of the -car body and including parallel grooved guides extending above the well, window pane carrying frames slidable in said grooves to a position within the well or a osition above the same, means for operat- 1ng the frames in theguides, a lid movably mounted upon the margin of the well and adapted to be automatically controlled by one of said window pane frames for closing the well when said frame has fully emerged therefrom. I Y

2. A mechanism for opening and closin windows on motor cars com rising a meta frame work seated in a wel formed in the car body and extending above the well in the form of-,inner and outer grooved ides, a

' pane carrying frame slidable in eac of said guides, means for operating the frames to cause the outer frame to move relatively twice as fast as the inner frame, a lid mounted upon a margin of the frame well and normally positioned to close said well, said lid being'automatically displaceable by the outer frame as it'is moved into the well, and automatically returned to well closin position as said outer frame moves beyon the well. I

3. A mechanism for operating windows on motors cars comprising a metal frame work adapted to seat in a well formed in a section of the car body, said frame work including two u standing relatively innerand outer groove guides adapted to extend above the well, the outer guide being substantially equal to the window height, and

the inner guide being substantiall equal to half its height, a pane frame slida le in each guide and adapted when raised to overlap, means for operating the pane frames to an extended position above the well or to a collapsible position within the well, latches whereby the respective frames may be locked in any position of elevation, a lid pivotally supported upon the marginof the body well, the free edge of the lid being in alignment with the outer pane frame, and spring means yieldingly supporting the lid in well closing position, said lid automatlcally yielding in the downward movement of the outer pane frame to permit entrance of said pane frame into the well, while at the same time bearing against the outer pane to seal the entrance into the well.

LA mechanism for operating windows on motor cars comprising a metal frame work adapted to seat in a well formed in a section of the car body, said frame work including two u standing relatively inner and' outer groove guides adapted to extend above the well, the outer guide being substantially equal to the window height, and the inner guide being substantially equal to half its height, a pane frame slidable in each guide and adapted when raised to overlap, means for operating the pane frames to an extended position above the well-or to a collapsible position within the well, latches whereby the respective frames may be locked in any position of elevation, a lid pivotally supported upon the margin of the body well, the free edge of the lid being in alignment with the outer pane frame, and spring means yieldingly supporting the lid in well closing position, said lid automatically yielding in the downward movement of the outer frame to permit entrance of said pane frame into" into the well, said spring means automatically movin the lid to a the well as t e outer pane yondthe-well.

5. A mechanism for operating osition to close frame moves be- L r Hi windows on motor cars comprising a metal frame work adapted to seat in a well formed in,

a section of the car body, said frame work ncluding two upstanding. relatively inner and outer grooved guides adapted to extend above the well, the outer guide being substantially equal to the window hei ht, and the inner guide being substantial y equal to half its height, a pane frame slidable in each guide and adapted when raised to overlap, means for operating the pane frames to an extended position above the well, or to a collapsible position within the well, latches whereby the respective frames may be locked in any position of elevation, a lid pivotall supported upon' the margin-of the b0 y wel,

id being in ali ment with the outer pane frame, and 5 ring means yieldingly su porting the li in well closing position, said hi automatically yielding in the downward movement of the outer ane frame to permit entrance of said pane rame into the well, while at the same tlme bearing against the outer pane to seal the entrance into the well, said spring meansautomaticall movthe free edge of the ing the lid to a position to close t e well JACQUES SAOUTCHIK. 

